Get the latest news about Pepper X, currently the Hottest Pepper in the World, averaging 2,693,000 Million Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale. Updated 10/16/2023.
Pepper X is the Hottest Pepper in the World as of October 2023.
If you’ve been anywhere in the chilehead world lately, you’ve probably already heard about the new “Pepper X”, a contender for the Hottest Chili Pepper in the World.
As of October 2023, Pepper X has now been officially tested and recognized as the hottest pepper in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
What is Pepper X?
"Pepper X" is the temporary name for the chili pepper bred by Ed Currie of Puckerbutt Pepper Company, the same man behind the creation of the Carolina Reaper.
According to Ed, he crossed multiple peppers to achieve a pepper hotter than the Carolina Reaper, the current hottest, which measures over 2 Million Scoville Heat Units, with an average of 1.64 Million SHU.
According to Ed Currie, “Pepper X is three times hotter than any other peppers that are out there available commercially. It’s twice as hot as the Reaper at 1.6 million, so this is a dangerous pepper.”
He has spent 10 years developing this pepper.
How Hot is Pepper X?
Pepper X averages 2,693,000 Million Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale. Some reports put it at 3.18 Million Scoville Heat Units, well above the Carolina Reaper.
For comparison, the Carolina Reaper measures in at 2,200,000 Scoville HEat Units (SHU) with an average of 1.64 Million SHU. The Bhut Jolokia (aka Ghost Pepper), measures in at 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units.
A typical jalapeno pepper averages about 5,000 Scoville Heat Units.
Learn more about the Scoville Scale here.
Is Pepper X Officially the Hottest Pepper in the World?
Yes, Pepper X is officially the hottest pepper in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Scoville score was calculated by Winthrop University in South Carolina, who conducted tests using peppers from the past four years.
This comes nearly 4 years after I was personally told word would come by November of 2019.
Congratulations, Ed!
What is the Current Hottest Pepper in the World?
The previous Hottest Chili Pepper in the World was the Carolina Reaper, which measures over 2 Million Scoville Heat Units at the top end of the scale.
Learn more about the Carolina Reaper here.
Pepper X Hot Sauce
While we’re not currently able to taste test this pepper for ourselves, you can purchase a hot sauce called “The Last Dab” made with Pepper X peppers, which is a collaboration between Ed Currie and The Heatonist founder Noah Chaimberg.
Here is information from the web site:
One Dab to rule them all. The Last Dab. When Sean Evans and the Hot Ones team were looking for a sauce to deliver the final sendoff, to squeeze the last juicy secrets from their guests, they knew that no known pepper would do. So they came to HEATONIST. We partnered with Guinness World Record holding pepper breeder Smokin' Ed Currie to create a sauce using his latest creation: Pepper X. More than simple mouth burn, Pepper X singes your soul. Starting with a pleasant burn in the mouth, the heat passes quickly, lulling you into a false confidence. You take another bite, enjoying the mustard and spice flavors. This would be great on jerk chicken, or Indian food! But then, WHAM! All of a sudden your skin goes cold and your stomach goes hot, and you realize the power of X. ** Limit 2 per order **
Ingredients:
Pepper X peppers, distilled vinegar, ginger root, turmeric, coriander, cumin, dry mustard
- Buy The Classic Hot Sauce: Pepper X Edition from the Heatonist (Amazon Affiliate Link, my friends!)
Check out the video at First We Feast of people trying “The Last Dab” hot sauce: https://firstwefeast.com/eat/hot-ones-hot-sauce-the-last-dab
Thanks to both Ed Currie and Noah at The Heatonist for sending along the photo and information.
I’ll be sure to post more information as it becomes available. Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll see if I can answer them for you, or find the information to help. – Mike H.
Relevant Links
- What is the Hottest Chili Pepper in the World?
- List of Hottest Chili Peppers in the World
- Scoville Scale
NOTE: This page was updated on 10/17/23 to include new information. It was originally published on 2/23/18.
Steven says
Any updates on this chili? I would love to try one raw!!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Hey, Steven. Still no word! I see them promoting sauces with the pepper, but still no word on anything official. Eagerly awaiting.
Ross Taylor says
Ed is a great PR machine. Made millions out of the reaper and will make even more with the pepper X. Personally I like the heat and flavour of the Moruga chilli.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I do like the Moruga.
Justy says
This all seems very sketchy. It's very unusual that they haven't let anyone test the actual pepper and that no one has ever received a single pod (even seedless), let alone seeds. If they're trying to monopolize the pepper (which is a real a-hole thing to do), it might make sense not to give out any seeds, but anything anyone has seen of this pepper are a bunch of pics and the hyped-up sauce. Almost a year later, I think it's starting to smell a bit.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
It definitely takes time for the overall testing and approval process. I heard we'll hear nothing until this November, or possibly next April, but we'll see.
Justy says
Yeah, no. Secrecy would be one thing. Happily continuing to sell a sauce YOU claim to be made from the hottest pepper in the world, WHILE appearing to maintain secrecy about the actual pepper, that just smells like a scam.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I make no claims. Just reporting what I've learned. Curious to see any actual testing information, which all I know at this point is forthcoming.
Justy says
So what about that testing info, still forthcoming? lmao
Just admit it, he pulled a fast one on thousands of people who certainly wouldn't have bought just another hot sauce at $20 a pop, but would definitely trip over themselves to get their hands on something "exclusive" that allegedly contains this mythical "new hottest pepper".
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Haven't heard a peep, Justy. I'll publish anything here that I do learn, but at this time, nothing new.
Joe P. says
Does anyone know of a source to purchase the original Last Dab made with the Pepper X? Only luck I’ve had is eBay($99+shipping) or ChillyChiles in Canada at $35/bottle, very reasonable but it’s $75+ just for shipping. Any help would be much appreciated!
REPLY: Joe, here is a link where you can purchase it: https://heatonist.com/products/hot-ones-the-last-dab -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
Dan Sedillo says
I really really want pepper x and the sauce as well. Please keep me posted.
yano says
please e-mail if the seeds of pepper x is available
REPLY: I'll be sure to post it here if/when seeds become available. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
Phillip Lander says
hi
just wondering if you have made any sauces with rosemary, I have a medium rosemary bush and would like to use it.
I'm growing thai, habanero and scorpion.
cheers
REPLY: Philip, no, though many of my recipes can be adapted to include rosemary. I would start by using a small amount, say a teaspoon of chopped, and see how you enjoy the flavor. Add in more or less for future batches to your preference. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
Ray says
Will seeds a/o seedlings be available to purchase?
REPLY: Not sure yet, Ray, though I'll be sure to report it when I hear. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
C_Rat says
Trinidad
Scorpion Chili
Peppers I thought was the hottest on record...
REPLY: It is currently the Carolina Reaper. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
Keith Gilbertr says
Hi Mike
I really enjoy your posts, both informative and fun.
But what is the hottest chilli at the moment? I believe it is the Dragons Breath, bred I Wales, hence the name. Came in hotter than the Carolina Reaper.
REPLY: Keith, at the moment it is the Carolina Reaper. There were no official tests or information released about the Dragon's Breath pepper. It is believed that one might have been a hoax. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.
lee Shropshire says
Life is good with hot peppers! Thanks for the info!
Cleyton santos says
Fake
Ed took 7 pot cousin su changed name to Carolina Reaper, deceived us all. Now come with this new pepper, trying to fool us again.I'm not accusing, just venting